CARLOS TEVEZ says Roberto Mancini’s claim that Robin van Persie has been the difference in the title race has got Manchester City’s strikers firing again.

On New Year’s Eve, Mancini made the point that Van Persie had tipped the balance since spurning City’s interest to join United in the summer, while his own strikers were struggling to convert chances.

Tevez and Co have come alive since, and Tevez said: “Those words were a motivation for the strikers.

“We know we need to carry on fighting. We want to keep winning, to keep fighting for the title and I will try to help us to compete on both fronts – the Premier League and FA Cup – and try to win both.”

We know we need to carry on fighting. We want to keep winning, to keep fighting for the title and I will try to help us to compete on both fronts – the Premier League and FA Cup – and try to win both

Carlos Tevez

Van Persie netted twice in the 4-0 win at Wigan to retain United’s seven-point lead at the top of the table and kept his team in the FA Cup with a last-minute goal in a 2-2 draw at West Ham, his 20th this term.

But since Mancini’s remarks, Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero have netted goals of their own in 3-0 wins over Stoke and Watford. Even Mario Balotelli, after his recent spat with the manager, has scored twice, albeit for the Under-21s in a 4-0 friendly victory over Blackburn on Monday.

Aguero, who is out with a hamstring problem, made it just three goals in 10 outings with his goal against the Potters, while Dzeko has three in 11. Balotelli has

just one Premier League goal all season but Tevez, 28, who scored his first goal in eight matches against Watford, said: “You can always improve. I started the season very well, then I was sick for about 10 days, but now I’m coming back and getting better.

“Last season United lost some games and we were back on track, so we will keep doing our job. That’s the emotion of the Premier League. It’s always a fight to the end and if United lose one game, we’ll be back on track and getting close to them. They will know that.”

Balotelli’s long-term future remains in doubt despite Mancini’s attempt to play down the training-ground scrap between the two.

Milan appear to have ruled themselves out as a potential destination after owner Silvio Berlusconi described the Italy striker as a “rotten apple”.

But Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has opened the door to a potential move, saying he would find it “stimulating” to work with Balotelli.

He said: “I do not know him personally. I spoke to him once a few years ago at a hotel in Sorrento.

“He made a good impression on me but only those who know him well can say what kind of problems he might create in training.

“I’ve got a bit of experience, though, and it would be stimulating to work with a talent like his, but I don’t know if that would ever happen.”

City have been linked with Napoli striker Edinson Cavani but club president Aurelio De Laurentiis said: “Are City considering letting Balotelli go so they can move for Cavani?

“I would prefer to see Balotelli playing with Cavani here at Napoli. Teams tend to hold on to their best players in January. On January 31, you will see what moves Napoli have made.”